Patient Mittens

ABSTRACT

Various embodiments of patient-mittens are disclosed and described. Such embodiments may include a hand-cover portion attached to a hollow elongate-sleeve portion. The hand-cover portion may cover the hand and fingers, preventing the patient from scratching themselves. The elongate-sleeve portion may cover a majority of an arm. Opposite from the hand-cover portion, there may be an arm-grabber attached at an end of the elongate-sleeve. This arm-grabber may squeeze the upper arm, above the elbow, to help keep the patient-mitten from coming off. Some embodiments, may include an access-slit on the elongate-sleeve for placing IVs and the like in a patient wearing the patient-mitten. The patient-mitten may help to minimize IVs and vital sign sensors from becoming dissociated from the patient. Some embodiments may be UV permeable to encourage vitamin D production in the patient. Some embodiments may provide a conducive environment for treating skin conditions on the arm, hand, or fingers.

PRIORITY NOTICE

The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/456,116 filed on Feb. 8,2017, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates in general to mittens (e.g., handcoverings) attached to arm sleeves (e.g., arm coverings) and morespecifically to such mittens for use with patients with certain medicalneeds.

COPYRIGHT AND TRADEMARK NOTICE

A portion of the disclosure of this patent application may containmaterial that is subject to copyright protection. The owner has noobjection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent documentor the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and TrademarkOffice patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyrightswhatsoever.

Certain marks referenced herein may be common law or registeredtrademarks of third parties affiliated or unaffiliated with theapplicant or the assignee. Use of these marks is by way of example andshould not be construed as descriptive or to limit the scope of thisinvention to material associated only with such marks.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Newborn human babies, infants, and prematurely born babies (preemies)often have fingernails of sufficient length to cause scratching injuriesto themselves and are typically not yet able to control themselvessufficiently to not scratch themselves and cause injury to themselves.Thus there is a need for protective mittens for this class of people.And the art has responded by providing protective mittens. However, mostof those protective mittens suffered from being very susceptible tofalling off, because the sleeve portion, if any, was not long enough andthe arm grabbing portion of some such mittens was squeezing the armbelow the elbow.

Preemies have additional protective mitten needs above and beyond theneed to protect from self-scratching. Because of their premature birth,preemies spend significant amounts of time in incubators and attached tovarious medical device equipment, such as, but not limited to, vitalsign monitoring devices, IVs, feeding tubing, ventilators, and the like.Because of natural movements of the preemie, such medical deviceequipment routinely becomes dissociated (e.g., disconnected) from thepreemie, requiring re-attachment, causing undesirable discomfort andpain in the preemie. Thus, it would be desirable to minimize suchmedical device equipment from becoming dissociated from the preemie. Andan appropriate patient mitten could satisfy this need by making itharder for the preemie to inadvertently dissociate such attached medicaldevice equipment. The appropriate patient mitten could cover and protectthe points of attachment to the preemie of such medical deviceequipment.

However, preemies also need sufficient access to UV (ultraviolet) lightfor the production of vitamin D and so covering the arms of the preemiewith a sleeve of the patient mitten may create an unexpected additionalproblem. And so there may be a need for a UV permeable patient mitten,that allows sufficient UV light to reach the preemie, but stillfunctions to minimize dissociation of the various attached medicaldevice equipment, may also still function to protect the preemie fromself-inflicted scratches.

Various skin problems (e.g., patches of dry skin, rashes, eczema, andthe like) are also very common with newborn human babies, infants,preemies, and toddlers. Presently, care givers apply various creams,lotions, salves, ointments, and medicaments to the affected skin areas.However, when the affected skin area may be the arms, hands, and/orfingers, treating such areas can be problematic as these areas are proneto having the applied treatment lost to adsorption into clothing or lostdue to interactions in the environment. It would be desirable if suchaffected skin areas, after treatment, could then be covered by anappropriate patient mitten that would prevent the applied treatmentbeing lost to the environment or adsorbed into clothing.

There is a need in the art for various patient mittens to address theabove identified problems, such as to prevent self-inflicted scratching,to minimize dissociation of attached medical device equipment, to permitvitamin D production, and/or to protect treated skin from losing thetreatment from the treated skin.

It is to these ends that the present invention has been developed.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To minimize the limitations in the prior art, and to minimize otherlimitations that will be apparent upon reading and understanding thepresent specification, the present invention describes variousembodiments of patient-mittens. Some embodiments of patient-mittens maycomprise a hand-cover attached to a hollow elongate-sleeve. Thehand-cover may cover the hand and fingers, preventing the patient fromscratching themselves. The elongate-sleeve may cover a majority of anarm of the patient. Opposite from the hand-cover, there may be anarm-grabber attached at an end of the elongate-sleeve. This arm-grabbermay squeeze the upper arm, above the elbow, to help keep thepatient-mitten from coming off. Some embodiments of patient-mittens mayinclude an access-slit on the elongate-sleeve for placing medical tubing(e.g., IVs), vital sign monitoring sensors, and the like in a patientwearing the patient-mitten. The patient-mitten may help to minimize theattached medical tubing and vital sign sensors from becoming dissociatedfrom the patient. Some embodiments of patient-mittens may be UVpermeable to encourage vitamin D production in the patient. Someembodiments of patient-mittens may provide a conducive environment fortreating skin conditions on the arm, hand, or fingers, that the wornpatient-mitten may then cover and protect.

It is an objective of the present invention to provide a patient mittento prevent self-inflicted scratching.

It is another objective of the present invention to provide a patientmitten that may provide warmth and/or comfort to the patient (wearer).

It is another objective of the present invention to provide a patientmitten that covers and protects various medical device equipmentattached to a patient's arm, hand, and/or fingers from becominginadvertently dissociated.

It is another objective of the present invention to provide a patientmitten that covers and protects various medical device equipmentattached to a patient's arm, hand, and/or fingers from becominginadvertently dissociated, but while also providing a means for the caregiver to access such attached medical device equipment, without havingto remove the patient mitten.

It is another objective of the present invention to provide a patientmitten that may be at least be partially UV permeable, to facilitatevitamin D production in the patient.

It is another objective of the present invention to provide a patientmitten that may be at least partially liquid impermeable, e.g., waterresistant or waterproof.

It is another objective of the present invention to provide a patientmitten that may be at least be partially liquid impermeable, e.g., waterresistant or waterproof; but that is also at least partially airpermeable, to provide for “breathing” and/or ventilation.

It is another objective of the present invention to provide a patientmitten that may be at least partially soft and/or flexible.

It is yet another objective of the present invention to provide apatient mitten that may protect treated skin beneath the worn patientmitten.

These and other advantages and features of the present invention aredescribed herein with specificity so as to make the present inventionunderstandable to one of ordinary skill in the art, both with respect tohow to practice the present invention and how to make the presentinvention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

Elements in the figures have not necessarily been drawn to scale inorder to enhance their clarity and improve understanding of thesevarious elements and embodiments of the invention. Furthermore, elementsthat are known to be common and well understood to those in the industryare not depicted in order to provide a clear view of the variousembodiments of the invention.

FIG. 1A may depict an embodiment of a patient-mitten, shown from a top(dorsal) or from a bottom (ventral) view, with respect to a patient'sarm.

FIG. 1B may depict an embodiment of a patient-mitten, shown from a top(dorsal) or from a bottom (ventral) view, with respect to a patient'sarm.

FIG. 1C may depict an elongate-sleeve portion of a patient-mitten,depicting an access-slit and slit-fastener, shown from a top (dorsal) orfrom a bottom (ventral) view, with respect to a patient's arm.

FIG. 1D may depict an elongate-sleeve portion of a patient-mitten,depicting an access-slit and slit-fastener, shown from a top (dorsal) orfrom a bottom (ventral) view, with respect to a patient's arm.

FIG. 1E may depict a partial view of a patient-mitten, shown from a top(dorsal) or from a bottom (ventral) view, with respect to a patient'sarm, showing a section of medical tubing emerging from an access-slit inan elongate-sleeve of that patient-mitten.

FIG. 1F may depict a partial view of a patient-mitten, shown from a top(dorsal) or from a bottom (ventral) view, with respect to a patient'sarm, showing a section of medical tubing emerging from an access-slit inan elongate-sleeve of that patient-mitten.

FIG. 2 may depict an embodiment of a mitten-with-attachment-anchors,shown from a top (dorsal) or from a bottom (ventral) view, with respectto a patient's arm, wherein at least one attachment-anchor may be shownattached to an elongate-sleeve of the mitten-with-attachment-anchors.

FIG. 3 may depict an embodiment of a mitten-with-pocket, shown from atop (dorsal) or from a bottom (ventral) view, with respect to apatient's arm, wherein at least one pocket may be shown attached to anelongate-sleeve of the mitten-with-pocket.

FIG. 4A may depict an embodiment of a UV-permeable-mitten, shown from atop (dorsal) or from a bottom (ventral) view, with respect to apatient's arm.

FIG. 4B may depict an embodiment of a UV-permeable-mitten, shown from atop (dorsal) or from a bottom (ventral) view, with respect to apatient's arm.

FIG. 5A may depict an embodiment of amitten-for-protecting-skin-treatment, shown from a top (dorsal) or froma bottom (ventral) view, with respect to a patient's arm; wherein anouter-elongate-sleeve may be shown in a rolled configuration.

FIG. 5B may depict the embodiment of themitten-for-protecting-skin-treatment from FIG. 5A, shown from a top(dorsal) or from a bottom (ventral) view, with respect to a patient'sarm; but wherein the outer-elongate-sleeve may be shown in a partiallyunrolled (partially deployed) configuration.

FIG. 5C may depict the embodiment of themitten-for-protecting-skin-treatment from FIG. 5A, shown from a top(dorsal) or from a bottom (ventral) view, with respect to a patient'sarm; but wherein the outer-elongate-sleeve may be shown in a completelyunrolled (fully deployed) configuration.

FIG. 6A may depict a longitudinal cross-section through an embodiment ofa mitten-with-finger-opening.

FIG. 6B may depict the embodiment of the mitten-with-finger-opening fromFIG. 6A, from a ventral (bottom) view.

FIG. 6C may depict the embodiment of the mitten-with-finger-opening fromFIG. 6A, from a partial side view and showing an opening-for-fingers.

FIG. 6D may depict the embodiment of the mitten-with-finger-opening fromFIG. 6A, shown scrunched up with a thumb passing through anelongate-sleeve and the opening-for-fingers.

FIG. 6E may depict the embodiment of the mitten-with-finger-opening fromFIG. 6A, shown scrunched up with fingers passing through theelongate-sleeve and the opening-for-fingers.

FIG. 6F may depict the embodiment of the mitten-with-finger-opening fromFIG. 6A, shown scrunched up with fingers passing through theelongate-sleeve and the opening-for-fingers.

FIG. 7A may depict steps in a method of mitigating dissociation of amedical device from a patient.

FIG. 7B may depict steps in a method of mitigating dissociation of amedical device from a patient.

FIG. 7C may depict steps in a method of protecting treated skin of alimb.

FIG. 8 may depict a patient-mitten being properly worn over a majorityof a limb (e.g., a left arm) of a given patient.

REFERENCE NUMERAL SCHEDULE

-   100 patient-mitten 100-   101 hand-covering 101-   103 elongate-sleeve 103-   105 wrist-union 105-   107 access-slit 107-   109 arm-grabber 109-   111 finger-tip-end 111-   113 wrist-end 113-   121 proximal-end 121-   123 distal-end 123-   125 complimentary-edges 125-   127 slit-fastener 127-   129 break-fasteners 129-   131 exterior 131-   133 tubing-anchor 133-   135 tubing-hole 135-   137 interior-surface 137-   200 mitten-with-attachment-anchors 200-   201 attachment-anchors 201-   300 mitten-with-pocket 300-   301 pocket 301-   400 UV-permeable-mitten 400-   500 mitten-for-protecting-skin-treatment 500-   503 outer-elongate-sleeve 503-   504 inner-elongate-sleeve 504-   509 arm-grabber 509-   510 fastener-for-arm-grabber 510-   522 flare-terminal-end 522-   531 exterior-of-outer-elongate-sleeve 531-   532 exterior-of-inner-elongate-sleeve 532-   600 mitten-with-finger-opening 600-   601 fully-covered-configuration 601-   603 uncovered-configuration 603-   605 opening-for-fingers 605-   607 cover-flap 607-   609 ventral-side 609-   611 dorsal-side 611-   700 method of mitigating dissociation of medical device from patient    700-   701 step of attaching medical device to limb of patient 701-   703 step of passing portion of medical device through mitten 703-   705 step of fitting and securing mitten onto limb with medical    device 705-   707 step of anchoring region of medical device to mitten 707-   710 method of mitigating dissociation of medical device from patient    710-   711 step of passing portion of medical device through mitten 711-   720 method of protecting treated skin of limb 720-   721 step of applying medicament to skin of limb 721-   723 step of pulling “inner-elongate-sleeve 504” over limb with    medicament 723-   725 step of deploying “outer-elongate-sleeve 503” over    “inner-elongate-sleeve 504” 725-   727 step of securing “mitten-for-protecting-skin-treatment 500” to    limb with medicament 727-   800 patient-mitten 800-   900 medical tubing 900-   950 patient 950-   951 shoulder 951-   952 upper arm 952-   953 armpit region 953-   955 elbow region 955

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following discussion that addresses a number of embodiments andapplications of the present invention, reference is made to theaccompanying drawings that form a part thereof, where depictions aremade, by way of illustration, of specific embodiments in which theinvention may be practiced. It is to be understood that otherembodiments may be utilized and changes may be made without departingfrom the scope of the invention.

FIG. 1A may depict an embodiment of a patient-mitten 100, shown from atop (dorsal) or from a bottom (ventral) view, with respect to apatient's arm. In some embodiments, patient-mitten 100 may comprise:hand-covering 101, elongate-sleeve 103, wrist-union 105, access-slit107, and arm-grabber 109. In some embodiments, hand-covering 101 may besized to substantially cover a hand and fingers of the patient wearingpatient-mitten 100. In some embodiments, elongate-sleeve 103 may besized to substantially cover a majority of an arm of the patient. Insome embodiments, elongate-sleeve 103 may be sized to cover at least aforearm and an elbow of a given arm of the patient. In some embodiments,hand-covering 101 may be attached to elongate-sleeve 103 at wrist-union105. In some embodiments, access-slit 107 may be located onelongate-sleeve 103. In some embodiments, access-slit 107 may be forproviding access to portions of the arm within elongate-sleeve 103. Whenaccess-slit 107 may be removably closed, elongate-member 103 maysubstantially cover the majority of that arm, such as, at least theforearm and elbow of that arm. Access to otherwise covered portions ofthe arm may be for placing, removing, securing, monitoring, and/ormanaging medical devices removably attached to the patient. Such medicaldevices in this context may be medical tubing 900 (e.g., IV tubing),luer-locks, ports (for connecting to medical tubing 900 or forconnecting to syringes), vital sign monitoring devices (e.g., an oxygensensor, pulse sensor, and the like) and their electrical powercords/cabling/wires, and/or the like. See e.g., FIG. 1A, FIG. 1E andFIG. 1F for a depiction of medical tubing 900. Medical tubing 900 shownin the figures could also be the cabling, wiring, and/orelectrical/power/communication cords to various medical devices. In someembodiments, arm-grabber 109 may be for squeezing (gripping) against thearm (e.g., upper arm, above the elbow) when the patient-mitten 100 isproperly worn by the patient. Arm-grabber 109 may help to keeppatient-mitten 100 properly removably attached to the patient. In someembodiments, arm-grabber 109 may be an elongate member, a hollow annularring, that may substantially circumscribe a portion of the arm squeezingthat portion of the arm. In some embodiments, arm-grabber 109 may beattached to elongate-sleeve 103.

Discussing FIG. 1A, in some embodiments, hand-cover 101 may comprise twoopposing ends, a finger-tip-end 111 and a wrist-end 113. Whenpatient-mitten 100 may be being worn properly by the patient, withfingers extended, then finger-tip-end 111 may cover the fingers and becloser to the patient's finger tips than to the patient's wrist of thatlimb that is wearing the given patient-mitten 100. Similarly, whenpatient-mitten 100 may be being worn properly by the patient, withfingers extended, then wrist-end 113 may be closer to the patient'swrist than to the patient's finger tips of that limb that is wearing thegiven patient-mitten 100.

Continuing discussing FIG. 1A, in some embodiments, wrist-union 105 maybe located at wrist-end 113. In some embodiments, wrist-union 105 maydelineate hand-cover 101 from elongate-sleeve 103. In some embodiments,wrist-union 105 may not be a separate physical structure, but rather maydelineate hand-cover 101 from elongate-sleeve 103. In some embodiments,wrist-union 105 may be a physical structure, e.g., a seam, wherehand-cover 101 is attached to elongate-sleeve 103. In some embodiments,wrist-union 105 may have elastic properties to at least partiallysqueeze the wrist of the patient, when the patient-mitten 100 is beingproperly worn.

Continuing discussing FIG. 1A, in some embodiments, hand-cover 101 maybe one or more of: substantially constructed from a fabric,substantially soft, substantially flexible, and/or the like. Hand-cover101 may function to keep the hand and the fingers substantially coveredby hand-cover 101 warm. Hand-cover 101 may function to preventfingernails of the covered fingers from scratching other parts of thepatient or articles or care givers.

In some embodiments, the patient may be selected from: a baby, anewborn, an infant, a prematurely born infant (i.e., a preemie), atoddler, and the like. In some embodiments, the patient may be a personat risk of scratching themselves with their own fingernails andregardless of their age. In some embodiments, the patient may be aperson who has at least one medical device attached to their arm, hand,and/or fingers and regardless of their age. Such medical devices in thiscontext may be medical tubing 900 (e.g., IV tubing), luer-locks, ports(for connecting to medical tubing 900 or for connecting to syringes),vital sign monitoring devices (e.g., an oxygen sensor, pulse sensor, andthe like), and/or the like. In some embodiments, the patient may be aperson at risk of trauma to their skin and regardless of their age;e.g., those with thin or thinning skin. In some embodiments, the patientmay be person wearing a given patient-mitten 100 in order to keep handsand/or fingers warm. And of course, it is expressly contemplated that insome applications of use, a wearer of a given patient-mitten 100 neednot be a patient. The mittens and/or patient-mittens disclosed hereinare for use on a limb (e.g., including the fingers, hand, wrist,forearm, and elbow of that limb) of a person, e.g., the patient.

Continuing discussing FIG. 1A, in some embodiments, elongate-sleeve 103may comprise two opposing ends, a proximal-end 121 and a distal-end 123.In some embodiments, arm-grabber 109 may be attached to proximal-end 121and distal-end 123 may be located at wrist-union 105. In someembodiments, when patient-mitten 100 may be properly worn by thepatient, proximal-end 121 may be closest to the bicep/tricep of thepatient of the arm that is substantially covered by the elongate-sleeve103; and distal-end 123 may be closest to wrist-union 105. In someembodiments, when patient-mitten 100 may be properly worn by thepatient, proximal-end 121 may be closest to an armpit of the patient ofthe arm that is substantially covered by the elongate-sleeve 103; anddistal-end 123 may be closest to wrist-union 105. In some embodiments,distal-end 123 of elongate-sleeve 103 may be attached to wrist-end 113of hand-cover 101. In some embodiments, distal-end 123 ofelongate-sleeve 103 may be attached to wrist-end 113 of hand-cover 101at wrist-union 105.

In some embodiments, elongate-sleeve 103 may be one or more of:substantially constructed from a fabric, substantially soft, and/orsubstantially flexible. In some embodiments, elongate-sleeve 103 may bea hollow elongate member, sized to slip over and cover a majority of thearm of the patient.

Continuing discussing FIG. 1A, in some embodiments, access-slit 107 maycomprise a pair of removably sealable complimentary-edges 125. In someembodiments, these complimentary-edges 125 may be removably sealable bya slit-fastener 127 (see e.g., FIG. 1C and FIG. 1C). In someembodiments, slit-fastener 127 may be selected from the group consistingof one or more of: a zipper; a press fit (e.g., a Ziplock type offastener); a snap fit (e.g., plastic snaps); a button; ties; lacing; aplurality of hooks along one complimentary-edge 125 and a complimentaryplurality of loops along the other remaining complimentary-edge 125(i.e., Velcro or Velcro like); and/or the like.

Continuing discussing FIG. 1A, in some embodiments, elongate-sleeve 103may comprise one or more of access-slit 107. In some embodiments,access-slit 107 may be located on a dorsal side of elongate-sleeve 103;wherein “dorsal side” is with respect to the patient's arm. In someembodiments, access-slit 107 may be located on a ventral side of theelongate-sleeve 103; wherein “ventral side” is with respect to thepatient's arm. In some embodiments, access-slit 107 may runsubstantially parallel with a length of elongate-sleeve 103. In someembodiments, access-slit 107 may run substantially parallel with alength of the patient's forearm, when that given arm may be removablyinserted within elongate-sleeve 103.

Continuing discussing FIG. 1A, in some embodiments, arm-grabber 109 maybe an elastic member or substantially an elastic member or a member withelastic properties. In some embodiments, arm-grabber 109 may be a hollowannular ring. In some embodiments, arm-grabber 109 may be at leastpartially constructed from an elastic band, Spandex, or the likefabrics. In some embodiments, during normal use, arm-grabber 109 maysqueeze (grip) around an upper portion of the patient's arm, such as, ator above the elbow. In some embodiments, during normal use, arm-grabber109 may circumscribe and squeeze (grip) around an upper portion of thepatient's arm, such as, at or above the elbow. Use of arm-grabber 109may be important in keeping a given patient-mitten 100 from slippingdown on the arm. Use of arm-grabber 109 may be important in preventing agiven patient-mitten 100 from falling off of that limb.

Continuing discussing FIG. 1A, in some embodiments, in some embodiments,hand-cover 101 may comprise one more tubing-holes 135 sized to passthrough medical tubing 900. In some embodiments, elongate-sleeve 103 maycomprise one more tubing-holes 135 sized to pass through medical tubing900. In some embodiments, a given patient-mitten 100 may have no suchtubing-holes 135; and just use access-slit 107 for tubing passage.

In some embodiments, a given patient-mitten 100 may be constructed suchthat a ratio of a length of the hand-cover 101 (e.g., wrist-end 113 tofinger-tip-end 111) to a length of the elongate-sleeve 103 (e.g., fromproximal-end 121 to distal-end 123) may be within a range of 0.32 to0.34, including the endpoints of that range. In some embodiments, agiven patient-mitten 100 may be constructed such that a ratio of alength of the hand-cover 101 to a length of the elongate-sleeve 103 maybe within a range of 0.29 to 0.35, including the endpoints of thatrange. Such rations may provide for arm-grabber 109 being located alongthe upper arm past the elbow which may be important for minimizing thatgiven patient-mitten 100 from slipping off of that limb.

In some embodiments, hand-cover 101 and/or elongate-sleeve 103 may besubstantially ultraviolet (UV) light permeable. In some embodiments,hand-cover 101 and/or elongate-sleeve 103 may be substantiallyconstructed from UV light permeable fabrics. In some embodiments, amajority of exterior 131 may be substantially UV light permeable. Insome embodiments exterior 131 may refer to an exterior surface ofhand-cover 101 and/or an exterior surface of elongate-sleeve 103. Insome embodiments, portions of interior-surface 137 may be substantiallyUV light permeable. In some embodiments interior-surfaces 137 may referto an interior surface of hand-cover 101 and/or an interior surface ofelongate-sleeve 103. In some embodiments, exterior 131 may be opposinginterior-surface 137. In some embodiments, at least someinterior-surfaces 137 may be in removable physical skin contact withskin of the fingers, hand, and/or arm that is wearing that givenpatient-mitten 100. Such UV light permeability may be important for whenthe patient (e.g., a preemie) is in need of producing their own vitaminD; such as, but not limited to, preemies removably housed withinincubators. For example, and without limiting the scope of the presentinvention, such a UV permeable fabric may be Tan Through or CoolTan orTanMeOn brand of fabric or similar type of fabric. For example, andwithout limiting the scope of the present invention, such a UV permeablefabric may be a mesh fabric or a fabric with relatively large weave orrelatively small thread count.

In some embodiments, it may be elongate-sleeve 103 that may have thesubstantially ultraviolet (UV) light permeable properties as discussedabove and not hand-cover 101. Rather, in such embodiments, hand-cover101 may be more thick or more plush as compared against elongate-sleeve103. In some embodiments, hand-cover 101 may be at least thick enough orat least plush enough to minimize the wearer being able to scratchthemselves when patient-mitten 100 may be worn; while elongate-sleeve103 may be comparatively thinner (and/or less plush) with thesubstantially ultraviolet (UV) light permeable properties. In someembodiments, hand-cover 101 may be at least thick enough or at leastplush enough to minimize the wearer being able to grab or interact withobjects external to patient-mitten 100; which for example, may be usefulin applications with preemies who might otherwise inadvertently grab andremove IV tubing; but wherein elongate-sleeve 103 may be comparativelythinner with the substantially ultraviolet (UV) light permeableproperties.

In some embodiments, hand-cover 101 and/or elongate-sleeve 103 may besubstantially liquid impermeable (e.g., waterproof or water resistant).In some embodiments, hand-cover 101 and/or elongate-sleeve 103 may besubstantially constructed from substantially liquid impermeable fabrics.In some embodiments, a majority of exterior 131 may be substantiallyliquid impermeable (e.g., waterproof or water resistant); as this mayhelp to keep the arm, hands, and/or fingers dry in wet environments. Insome embodiments, portions of interior-surface 137 may be substantiallyliquid impermeable (e.g., waterproof or water resistant); as this mayhelp to confine skin treatments to the treated skin. For example, andwithout limiting the scope of the present invention, such a fabric ormaterial of construction for hand-cover 101, elongate-sleeve 103,exterior 131, and/or interior-surface 137 may be: a GoreTex fabric orGore-Tex like fabric; a Conduit fabric from Mountain Hardwear; aNeoShell fabric from Polartec; a AQ2/Aquafoil fabric from Berghaus; anOmni-Dry fabric; and/or the like. Some such fabrics may be air permeable(i.e., air breathable). Some such waterproof breathable fabrics maycomprise at least two layers, a first layer often made of nylon orpolyester or the like, and sometimes referred to as the “face fabric”;and a second layer, a laminated membrane or coating, usually made ofePTFE (expanded Polytetrafluoroethylene, also known as Teflon) or PU(Polyurethane) or the like.

In some embodiments, hand-cover 101 and/or elongate-sleeve 103 may besubstantially air permeable (i.e., air breathable). In some embodiments,hand-cover 101 and/or elongate-sleeve 103 may be substantiallyconstructed from substantially air permeable (i.e., air breathable)fabrics. For example, and without limiting the scope of the presentinvention, such a fabric may be a Gore-Tex fabric or Gore-Tex likefabric.

In some embodiments, hand-cover 101 and/or elongate-sleeve 103 may besubstantially constructed from substantially anti-microbial fabrics. Insome embodiments, hand-cover 101 and/or elongate-sleeve 103 may compriseinterior-surfaces 137 and/or exteriors 131 that may be substantiallyanti-microbial. In some embodiments exterior 131 may refer to anexterior surface of hand-cover 101 and/or an exterior surface ofelongate-sleeve 103. See e.g., FIG. 1A. In some embodimentsinterior-surfaces 137 may refer to an interior surface of hand-cover 101and/or an interior surface of elongate-sleeve 103. See e.g., FIG. 1A.

In some embodiments, hand-cover 101 and/or elongate-sleeve 103 compriseone or more pockets 301 located on exterior 131. See e.g., FIG. 3 andFIG. 4B.

In some embodiments, hand-cover 101 and/or elongate-sleeve 103 maycomprise one or more attachment-anchors 201 located on exteriors 131.See e.g., FIG. 2 and FIG. 4B. In some embodiments, attachment-anchors201 may be partial loop structures or hook structures. In someembodiments, attachment-anchors 201 may provide location(s) onpatient-mitten 100 where various articles may be attached topatient-mitten 100. In some embodiments, attachment-anchors 201 may berelatively soft and substantially constructed from an elastomericmaterial of construction, such as, but not limited to, silicones,rubbers, and/or the like. This may help to avoid injury to the patient.For example, and without limiting the scope of the present invention,such articles that may be attached to various attachment-anchors 201 maybe: rings or colorful items for eye and brain stimulation for youngchildren; blinkable lights; teething objects; pacifiers; noise makers;rattles; charms and/or letters for personalization; toys; leashes forattachment to such articles; medical-tubing 900, and/or the like.

Note the above discussion thus far of patient-mitten 100 depicted inFIG. 1A may also apply to patient-mittens 100 embodiments shown in FIG.1B, FIG. 1C, FIG. 1D, FIG. 1E, and FIG. 1F.

Continuing discussing FIG. 1A, in some embodiments, access-slit 107,when open, may insert an openable break (gap) in arm-grabber 109. Insome embodiments, access-slit 107 may run across arm-grabber 109 causingan openable break (gap) in the arm-grabber 109 when access-slot 107 maybe open. In some embodiments, the openable break (gap) in arm-grabber109 may be removably closable by a pair of break-fasteners 129 locatedat each end of the openable break. In some embodiments, the pair ofbreak-fasteners 129 may be selected from the group consisting of one ormore of: a press fit; a snap fit (e.g., plastic snaps); a button; ties;a draw string; a plurality of hooks along at one end of the openablebreak and a complimentary plurality of loops along the other remainingend of the openable break (i.e., Velcro or Velcro like); and/or thelike.

FIG. 1B may depict another embodiment of patient-mitten 100, shown froma top (dorsal) or from a bottom (ventral) view, with respect to apatient's arm. A difference between patient-mitten 100 shown in FIG. 1Aversus patient-mitten 100 shown in FIG. 1B, may be in a size and/orlocation of access-slit 107. For example, and without limiting the scopeof the present invention, in FIG. 1A, access-slit 107 may run into andthrough a portion of arm-grabber 109 causing the openable break (gap)shown between break-fasteners 129 in FIG. 1A; whereas, in FIG. 1B,access-slit 107 may not touch arm-grabber 109.

Discussing FIG. 1B, in some embodiments, access-slit 107 may have alength that is less than a length of elongate-sleeve 103. In someembodiments, access-slit 107 may not run into (i.e., extend into)arm-grabber 109. In some embodiments, access-slit 107 may not toucharm-grabber 109. In some embodiments, access-slit 107 may not interruptarm-grabber 109.

FIG. 1C may depict an elongate-sleeve 103 portion of patient-mitten 100,depicting part of access-slit 107 and depicting part of slit-fastener127, shown from a top (dorsal) or from a bottom (ventral) view, withrespect to a patient's arm. In some embodiments, slit-fastener 127 mayrun intermittently at predetermined spacing along each ofcomplimentary-edges 125.

FIG. 1D may depict elongate-sleeve 103 portion of patient-mitten 100,depicting a part of access-slit 107 and depicting a part of anotherslit-fastener 127, shown from a top (dorsal) or from a bottom (ventral)view, with respect to a patient's arm. In some embodiments,slit-fastener 127 may run substantially along each ofcomplimentary-edges 125.

Recall, in some embodiments, slit-fastener 127 may be selected from thegroup consisting of one or more of: a zipper; a press fit (e.g., aZiplock type of fastener); a snap fit (e.g., plastic snaps); a button;ties; lacing; a plurality of hooks along one complimentary-edge 125 anda complimentary plurality of loops along the other remainingcomplimentary-edge 125 (i.e., Velcro or Velcro like); and/or the like.

FIG. 1E may depict a partial view of patient-mitten 100, shown from atop (dorsal) or from a bottom (ventral) view, with respect to apatient's arm, showing a section of medical tubing 900 emerging fromaccess-slit 107 in elongate-sleeve 103 of that patient-mitten 100. Thus,FIG. 1E may show a function of access-slit 107. As noted, access-slit107 may provide access to otherwise covered portions of the arm forplacing, removing, securing, monitoring, and/or managing medical devicesremovably attached to the patient's arm, hand, and/or fingers. Suchmedical devices in this context may be: medical tubing 900 (e.g., IVtubing); luer-locks; ports (for connecting to medical tubing 900 or forconnecting to syringes); vital sign monitoring devices (e.g., an oxygensensor, pulse sensor, and the like) and/or their cords, cables, wires;and/or the like.

FIG. 1F may depict a partial view of patient-mitten 100, shown from atop (dorsal) or from a bottom (ventral) view, with respect to apatient's arm, showing a section of medical tubing 900 emerging fromaccess-slit 107 in elongate-sleeve 103 of that patient-mitten 100. Insome embodiments, elongate-sleeve 103 may comprise at least onetubing-anchor 133. In some embodiments, at least one tubing-anchor 133may be located on exterior 131 of elongate-sleeve 103. In someembodiments, at least one tubing-anchor 133 may be located on exterior131 of hand-cover 101. In some embodiments, at least one tubing-anchor133 may be removably attachable to a portion of tubing (e.g., medicaltubing 900, such as, but not limited to IV tubing). In some embodiments,when the portion of the tubing may be removably attached totubing-anchor 133, the tubing may be less likely to become dissociatedfrom patient-mitten 100. That is, use of tubing-anchor 133 to anchor asection of tubing to elongate-sleeve 103, may help to minimize thepatient inadvertently pulling the tubing out from its connection to thepatient. In some embodiments, structurally, tubing-anchor 133 may be ahook structure and/or a loop structure, sized to removably hold asection of the tubing. In some embodiments, tubing-anchor 133 may be atype of attachment-anchor 201 (see e.g., FIG. 2).

In some embodiments, tubing-anchors 133 may be relatively soft andsubstantially constructed from an elastomeric material of construction,such as, but not limited to, silicones, rubbers, and/or the like. Thismay help to avoid injury to the patient.

Patient-mitten 100 partially shown in FIG. 1F may differ frompatient-mitten 100 partially shown in FIG. 1E, in that in FIG. 1F,patient-mitten 100 may comprise one or more tubing-anchors 133; whereas,the patient-mitten 100 shown in FIG. 1E may not include anytubing-anchors 133.

In some embodiments, tubing-anchors 133 may be sized to removablycapture a section of wires, cables, and/or cords from a medical deviceattached to the patient's arm, hand, and/or fingers, such as wires,cables, and/or cords from a pulse monitoring sensor or wires, cables,and/or cords from an oxygen level monitoring sensor.

FIG. 2 may depict an embodiment of a mitten-with-attachment-anchors 200,shown from a top (dorsal) or from a bottom (ventral) view, with respectto a patient's arm, wherein at least one attachment-anchor 201 may beshown attached to elongate-sleeve 103 of mitten-with-attachment-anchors200. In some embodiments, mitten-with-attachment-anchors 200 maycomprise: hand-covering 101, elongate-sleeve 103, wrist-union 105, andarm-grabber 109 as these structures were discussed above. Someembodiments of mitten-with-attachment-anchors 200 may not includeaccess-slit 107. Some embodiments of mitten-with-attachment-anchors 200may also comprise access-slit 107 located on elongate-sleeve 103.

Discussing FIG. 2, in some embodiments, hand-cover 101 and/orelongate-sleeve 103 may comprise one or more attachment-anchors 201located on exteriors 131. See also, FIG. 4B. In some embodiments,attachment-anchors 201 may be partial loop structures or hookstructures. In some embodiments, attachment-anchors 201 may provide alocation(s) on mitten-with-attachment-anchors 200 where various articlesmay be attached to mitten-with-attachment-anchors 200. In someembodiments, attachment-anchors 201 may be relatively soft andsubstantially constructed from an elastomeric material of construction,such as, but not limited to, silicones, rubbers, and/or the like. Thismay help to avoid injury to the patient.

FIG. 3 may depict an embodiment of a mitten-with-pocket 300, shown froma top (dorsal) or from a bottom (ventral) view, with respect to apatient's arm, wherein at least one pocket 301 may be shown attached toelongate-sleeve 103 of mitten-with-pocket 300. In some embodiments,hand-cover 101 and/or elongate-sleeve 103 may comprise one or morepockets 301 located on exteriors 131. See also, FIG. 4B. Such pockets301 may be for removable storage of various articles. In someembodiments, pocket 301 may be one or more of: substantially constructedfrom a fabric, substantially soft, and/or substantially flexible.

In some embodiments, mitten-with-pocket 300 may comprise: hand-covering101, elongate-sleeve 103, wrist-union 105, and arm-grabber 109 as thesestructures were discussed above. Some embodiments of mitten-with-pocket300 may not include access-slit 107. Some embodiments ofmitten-with-pocket 300 may also comprise access-slit 107 located onelongate-sleeve 103.

FIG. 4A may depict an embodiment of a UV-permeable-mitten 400, shownfrom a top (dorsal) or from a bottom (ventral) view, with respect to apatient's arm. In some embodiments, UV-permeable-mitten 400 maycomprise: hand-covering 101, elongate-sleeve 103, wrist-union 105, andarm-grabber 109 as these structures were discussed above. Someembodiments of UV-permeable-mitten 400 may not include access-slit 107.Some embodiments of UV-permeable-mitten 400 may also compriseaccess-slit 107 located on elongate-sleeve 103.

Discussing FIG. 4A, in some embodiments, hand-cover 101 and/orelongate-sleeve 103 may be substantially ultraviolet (UV) lightpermeable. In some embodiments, hand-cover 101 and/or elongate-sleeve103 may be substantially constructed from ultraviolet (UV) lightpermeable fabrics. This may be important for when the patient is in needof producing their own vitamin D; such as, but not limited to, preemiesremovably housed within incubators. For example, and without limitingthe scope of the present invention, such a fabric may be a mesh fabricor a fabric with relatively large weave or relatively small threadcount.

FIG. 4B may depict another embodiment of a UV-permeable-mitten 400,shown from a top (dorsal) or from a bottom (ventral) view, with respectto a patient's arm. In some embodiments, UV-permeable-mitten 400 maycomprise: hand-covering 101, elongate-sleeve 103, wrist-union 105, andarm-grabber 109. In some embodiments, UV-permeable-mitten 400 may alsocomprise one or more of: access-slit 107, tubing-hole 135,attachment-anchor 201, pocket 301 as these structures were discussedabove.

Discussing FIG. 4B, in some embodiments, hand-cover 101 and/orelongate-sleeve 103 may comprise one or more attachment-anchors 201located on exteriors 131. See also, FIG. 2. In some embodiments,attachment-anchors 201 may be partial loop structures or hookstructures. In some embodiments, attachment-anchors 201 may providelocation(s) on UV-permeable-mitten 400 where various articles may beattached to UV-permeable-mitten 400. In some embodiments,attachment-anchors 201 may be relatively soft and substantiallyconstructed from an elastomeric material of construction, such as, butnot limited to, silicones, rubbers, and/or the like. This may help toavoid injury to the patient.

Continuing discussing FIG. 4B, in some embodiments, hand-cover 101and/or elongate-sleeve 103 may comprise one or more pockets 301 locatedon exteriors 131. See also, FIG. 3.

Continuing discussing FIG. 4B, in some embodiments, hand-cover 101and/or elongate-sleeve 103 may be substantially ultraviolet (UV) lightpermeable. In some embodiments, hand-cover 101 and/or elongate-sleeve103 may be substantially constructed from ultraviolet (UV) lightpermeable fabrics. This may be important for when the patient is in needof producing their own vitamin D; such as, but not limited to, preemiesremovably housed within incubators. For example, and without limitingthe scope of the present invention, such a fabric may be a mesh fabricor a fabric with relatively large weave or relatively small threadcount.

FIG. 5A may depict an embodiment of amitten-for-protecting-skin-treatment 500, shown from a top (dorsal) orfrom a bottom (ventral) view, with respect to a patient's arm; whereinan outer-elongate-sleeve 503 may be shown in a rolled configuration.FIG. 5B may depict mitten-for-protecting-skin-treatment 500, shown froma top (dorsal) or from a bottom (ventral) view, with respect to apatient's arm; but wherein outer-elongate-sleeve 503 may be shown in apartially unrolled (partially deployed) configuration. FIG. 5C maydepict mitten-for-protecting-skin-treatment 500, shown from a top(dorsal) or from a bottom (ventral) view, with respect to a patient'sarm; but wherein outer-elongate-sleeve 503 may be shown in a completelyunrolled (fully deployed) configuration. Thus, FIG. 5B may depict atransitional configuration between the configurations depicted in FIG.5A and as depicted in FIG. 5C.

In some embodiments, mitten-for-protecting-skin-treatment 500 maycomprise: hand-covering 101, outer-elongate-sleeve 503,inner-elongate-sleeve 504, wrist-union 105, and arm-grabber 509. Seee.g., FIG. 5A, FIG. 5B, and/or FIG. 5C. Hand-covering 101, wrist-union105, finger-tip-end 111, wrist-end 113, proximal-end 121, distal-end123, and exterior 131 shown in FIG. 5A, FIG. 5B, or FIG. 5C may bestructures and/or regions as discussed above, except as noted here inthis discussion of FIG. 5A, FIG. 5B, and FIG. 5C. In some embodiments,hand-covering 101 may be attached to outer-elongate-sleeve 503 and toinner-elongate-sleeve 504 at wrist-union 105. In some embodiments,wrist-union 105 may be located at wrist-end 113. In some embodiments,wrist-union 105 may delineate hand-cover 101 from outer-elongate-sleeve503 and/or from inner-elongate-sleeve 504. In some embodiments,wrist-union 105 may not be a separate physical structure, but rather maydelineate hand-cover 101 from outer-elongate-sleeve 503 and/or frominner-elongate-sleeve 504. In some embodiments, wrist-union 105 may be aphysical structure, e.g., a seam, where hand-cover 101 is attached toouter-elongate-sleeve 503 and attached to inner-elongate-sleeve 504. Insome embodiments, proximal-end 121 and opposing distal-end 123 may bewith respect to outer-elongate-sleeve 503. In some embodiments,outer-elongate-sleeve 503 may comprise two opposing ends, proximal-end121 and distal-end 123. In some embodiments, arm-grabber 509 may beattached to proximal-end 121 and distal-end 123 may be located atwrist-union 105. In FIG. 5A, FIG. 5B, and FIG. 5C exterior 131 may belimited to the exterior of hand-covering 101.

In some embodiments of mitten-for-protecting-skin-treatment 500,elongate-sleeve 103 may be replaced with two layers of elongate sleeves,that of outer-elongate-sleeve 503 and of inner-elongate-sleeve 504. Oralternatively, in some embodiments, elongate-sleeve 103 may be twolayers, that of outer-elongate-sleeve 503 and of inner-elongate-sleeve504. See e.g., FIG. 5A, FIG. 5B, and FIG. 5C. In some embodiments,together outer-elongate-sleeve 503 and of inner-elongate-sleeve 504 mayserve a same purpose or a same function as that of elongate-sleeve 103;such as, to cover a majority of the arm wearing the givenmitten-for-protecting-skin-treatment 500. Based upon a sharedlongitudinal axis, outer-elongate-sleeve 503 and ofinner-elongate-sleeve 504 may be substantially concentric with respectto each other. When mitten-for-protecting-skin-treatment 500 may bebeing worn by the patient and outer-elongate-sleeve 503 may becompletely deployed (unrolled), interior portions ofinner-elongate-sleeve 504 (not shown) may be in physical contact witharm skin of the patient, with exterior-of-outer-elongate-sleeve 531externally visible.

As noted by the name of “mitten-for-protecting-skin-treatment 500,”mitten-for-protecting-skin-treatment 500 may be a type of patient mittenspecifically for protecting the treated skin of the arm, hand, and/orfingers. Mitten-for-protecting-skin-treatment 500 may accomplish thisfunction by interior surfaces of inner-elongate-sleeve 504 that may bein physical contact with skin of the arm, being designed not to absorbnor wick away creams, lotions, salves, ointments, and/or medicamentsthat may have been applied to the skin of the fingers, hand, and/or arm.Additionally, inner-elongate-sleeve 504 may protect such treated skinfrom coming into physical contact with environmental articles, whichmight otherwise remove portions of such creams, lotions, salves,ointments, and/or medicaments from the treated skin (e.g., from brushingagainst such environmental articles). Additionally,inner-elongate-sleeve 504 may create a controlled, protected, andcontained region around the treated skin, which for example, mayminimize treated skin from drying out or the applied creams, lotions,salves, ointments, and/or medicaments from evaporating.

In some embodiments, inner-elongate-sleeve 504 may be substantiallyliquid impermeable (e.g., waterproof or water resistant). In someembodiments, inner-elongate-sleeve 504 may be substantially constructedfrom substantially liquid impermeable fabrics. In some embodiments, amajority of interior surface of inner-elongate-sleeve 504 may besubstantially liquid impermeable (e.g., waterproof or water resistant);as this may help to confine skin treatments to the treated skin; and/oras this may help to keep the arm, hands, and/or fingers dry in wetenvironments. For example, and without limiting the scope of the presentinvention, such a fabric or material of construction forinner-elongate-sleeve 504 may be: a Gore-Tex fabric or Gore-Tex likefabric; a Conduit fabric from Mountain Hardwear; a NeoShell fabric fromPolartec; a AQ2/Aquafoil fabric from Berghaus; an Omni-Dry fabric;and/or the like. Some such fabrics may be air permeable (i.e., airbreathable); but, substantially liquid impermeable (e.g., waterproof orwater resistant). Some such waterproof breathable fabrics (e.g.,inner-elongate-sleeve 504) may comprise at least two layers, a firstlayer often made of nylon or polyester or the like, and sometimesreferred to as the “face fabric”; and a second layer, a laminatedmembrane or coating, usually made of ePTFE (expandedPolytetrafluoroethylene, also known as Teflon) or PU (Polyurethane) orthe like.

In some embodiments, inner-elongate-sleeve 504 may be substantially airpermeable (i.e., air breathable). In some embodiments,inner-elongate-sleeve 504 may be substantially constructed fromsubstantially air permeable (i.e., air breathable) fabrics. For example,and without limiting the scope of the present invention, such a fabricmay be a Gore-Tex fabric or Gore-Tex like fabric.

In some embodiments, inner-elongate-sleeve 504 may be substantiallyconstructed from substantially anti-microbial fabrics and/or fromfabrics treated with anti-microbial properties.

In some embodiments, due to substantially liquid impermeable qualitiesof inner-elongate-sleeve 504, inner-elongate-sleeve 504 may be morerigid (e.g., less flexible and/or more stiff) than outer-elongate-sleeve503. Because of this, in some embodiments, one terminal end ofinner-elongate-sleeve 504 may flare out (i.e., may be wider), to providefor easier fitting of inner-elongate-sleeve 504 over the patient's arm.See e.g., FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B. That is, at flare-terminal-end 522, adiameter of inner-elongate-sleeve 504 may be greater than a diameter ofinner-elongate-sleeve 504 at other locations of inner-elongate-sleeve504. In some embodiments, flare-terminal-end 522 may be a terminal endof inner-elongate-sleeve 504 that is closest to an armpit (or shoulderor bicep/tricep) of the patient whenmitten-for-protecting-skin-treatment 500 may be properly worn on thatgiven arm of that armpit. In some embodiments, flare-terminal-end 522may be disposed opposite from wrist-union 105. See e.g., FIG. 5A andFIG. 5B.

In some embodiments, inner-elongate-sleeve 504 may flare atflare-terminal-end 522 to fit over (e.g., accommodate) various wrapsand/or dressings that might have been applied to the patient's skin ofthe limb. For example, and without limiting the scope of the presentinvention, treating dry skin regions and/or eczema regions, a wet and/ormediated wrap or dressing may be applied to the dry skin region and/oreczema region. And the flare at flare-terminal-end 522 ofinner-elongate-sleeve 504 may help inner-elongate-sleeve 504 fit oversuch wraps and/or dressings. See e.g., FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B.

In some embodiments, flare-terminal-end 522 may comprisefastener-for-arm-grabber 510. In some embodiments, arm-grabber 509(shown in FIG. 5C) may comprise fastener-for-arm-grabber 510. In someembodiments, the fastener-for-arm-grabber 510 of arm-grabber 509 mayremovably attach to the fastener-for-arm-grabber 510 offlare-terminal-end 522; that is, these respectivefastener-for-arm-grabber 510 may be complimentary to each other. Seee.g., FIG. 5A, FIG. 5B, and FIG. 5C.

In some embodiments, fastener-for-arm-grabber 510 may be selected fromthe group consisting of one or more of: a press fit; a snap fit (e.g.,plastic snaps); a button; ties; a draw string; a plurality of hooksalong at one end of the openable break and a complimentary plurality ofloops along the other remaining end of the openable break (i.e., Velcroor Velcro like); and/or the like.

In some embodiments, in operation, once inner-elongate-sleeve 504 may bedeployed substantially over the given arm (and potentially over treatedskin), then outer-elongate-sleeve 503 may be unrolled from the wristregion to towards the armpit region over both portions of that arm aswell as over portions of inner-elongate-sleeve 504; with portions ofinner-elongate-sleeve 504 disposed between outer-elongate-sleeve 503 andthe skin of that now covered arm; and then the fastener-for-arm-grabber510 of arm-grabber 509 may removably attach to thefastener-for-arm-grabber 510 of flare-terminal-end 522, past the elbow(proximate to the bicep/tricep). In some embodiments,outer-elongate-sleeve 503 may be softer and/more flexible as comparedagainst inner-elongate-sleeve 504. This dual layer configuration (e.g.,of outer-elongate-sleeve 503 and of inner-elongate-sleeve 504) may bedesirable because inner-elongate-sleeve 504 may be more stiff and/ormore rigid as compared against outer-elongate-sleeve 503.

In some embodiments, arm-grabber 509 may function substantially similarto embodiments of arm-grabber 109. In some embodiments, arm-grabber 509may comprise substantially similar structures to embodiments ofarm-grabber 109. In some embodiments, arm-grabber 509 may be forsqueezing (gripping) against the arm whenmitten-for-protecting-skin-treatment 500 is properly worn by thepatient. Arm-grabber 509 may help to keepmitten-for-protecting-skin-treatment 500 properly removably attached tothe patient. In some embodiments, arm-grabber 509 may be an elongatemember, a hollow annular ring, that may substantially circumscribe aportion of the arm squeezing that portion of the arm. In someembodiments, arm-grabber 509 may be attached to outer-elongate-sleeve503. See e.g., FIG. 5C. In some embodiments, arm-grabber 509 may beattached to proximal-end 121 and distal-end 123 may be located atwrist-union 105. In some embodiments, arm-grabber 509 may be an elasticmember or substantially an elastic member or a member with elasticproperties. In some embodiments, arm-grabber 509 may be a hollow annularring. In some embodiments, arm-grabber 509 may be at least partiallyconstructed from an elastic band, Spandex, or the like fabrics. Use ofarm-grabber 509 may be important in keeping a givenmitten-for-protecting-skin-treatment 500 from slipping down on the arm.Use of arm-grabber 509 may be important in preventing a givenmitten-for-protecting-skin-treatment 500 from falling off of that limb.See e.g., FIG. 5C.

FIG. 6A through FIG. 6F may depict a mitten-with-finger-opening 600;wherein fingers of the wearer (the patient) may be entirely covered bymitten-with-finger-opening 600 or wherein at least some portions ofthose fingers may be uncovered, but while mitten-with-finger-opening 600remains otherwise worn. FIG. 6A may depict a longitudinal cross-sectionthrough an embodiment of mitten-with-finger-opening 600. FIG. 6B maydepict the embodiment of mitten-with-finger-opening 600, from a ventral(bottom) view, i.e., ventral-side 609. FIG. 6C may depict the embodimentof mitten-with-finger-opening 600, from a partial side view and showingan opening-for-fingers 605. FIG. 6D may depict the embodiment ofmitten-with-finger-opening 600, shown scrunched up with a thumb passingthrough an elongate-sleeve 103 and the opening-for-fingers 605. FIG. 6Emay depict the embodiment of mitten-with-finger-opening 600, shownscrunched up with fingers passing through the elongate-sleeve 103 andthe opening-for-fingers 605. FIG. 6F may depict the embodiment ofmitten-with-finger-opening 600, shown scrunched up with fingers passingthrough the elongate-sleeve 103 and the opening-for-fingers 605.

As shown in FIG. 6A, the fingers of the wearer (the patient) may beentirely covered by mitten-with-finger-opening 600, wherein this isrepresented by an arrow 601 in FIG. 6A. Arrow 601 representsfully-covered-configuration 601; i.e., wherein the fingers may beentirely covered by hand-cover 101. Similarly, in FIG. 6A, arrow 603represents uncovered-configuration 603 where at least portions of thewearer's fingers may extend beyond opening-for-fingers 605. Regardlessif the finger-tips are following the configuration of arrow 601(completely covered fingers) or that of arrow 603 (uncoveredfinger-tips), the palm region of the hand may be still be retainedwithin hand-cover 101.

In some embodiments, mitten-with-finger-opening 600 may comprise:hand-covering 101, elongate-sleeve 103, wrist-union 105, and arm-grabber109. See e.g., FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B. Hand-covering 101, elongate-sleeve103, wrist-union 105, arm-grabber 109, finger-tip-end 111, wrist-end113, proximal-end 121, distal-end 123, exterior 131, interior-surface137 shown in FIG. 6A or FIG. 6B may be structures and/or regions asdiscussed above, except as noted here in this discussion of FIG. 6Athrough FIG. 6F. In some embodiments, mitten-with-finger-opening 600 maycomprise dorsal-side 611 and opposing to dorsal-side 611 a ventral-side609. When mitten-with-finger-opening 600 may be properly worn,dorsal-side 611 may be closer to a top (dorsal side) of the wearer's armthat is wearing mitten-with-finger-opening 600; whereas, ventral-side609 may be closer to a bottom (ventral side) of the wearer's arm that iswearing mitten-with-finger-opening 600. In some embodiments,hand-covering 101 may comprise opening-for-fingers 605 and cover-flap607. In some embodiments, cover-flap 607 and opening-for-fingers 605 maybe located on ventral-side 609 of hand-covering 101. In someembodiments, cover-flap 607 may be a flap of material (e.g., a flap offabric material) that covers a portion of ventral-side 609 ofhand-covering 101. In some embodiments, cover-flap 607 may cover whatotherwise would be a hole to interior-surface 137 of hand-covering 101.In some embodiments, at one end of cover-flap 607, closest tofinger-tip-end 111, may be opening-for-fingers 605. In some embodiments,around an outside perimeter of cover-flap 607, cover-flap 607 may beattached to exterior 131 of dorsal-side 609 of hand-covering 101, exceptalong opening-for-fingers 605. In some embodiments, opening-for-fingers605 may be an opening to interior-surface 137 of hand-covering 101.Using these structures, the wearer (e.g., the patient) may have theirfingers totally (completely covered) as indicated byfully-covered-configuration 601 or at least partially uncovered, asindicated by uncovered-configuration 603. See e.g., FIG. 6A through FIG.6F.

Note, it is expressly contemplated and included that embodiments of thepresent invention may comprise features and/or structures of the variousmittens disclosed in a combination fashion. That is, the structuresand/or features of mittens 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, and/or 600 may bemixed and/or combined. That is, in some embodiments, any of thedisclosed mittens (e.g., 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, and/or 600) maycomprise one or more of: access-slit 107; tubing-hole 135; tubing-anchor133; attachment-anchor 201; pocket 301; outer-elongate-sleeve 503 andinner-elongate-sleeve 504; and/or hand-covering 101 withopening-for-fingers 605 and cover-flap 607.

Also note, while mittens 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, and/or 600 may be usedfor patients in medical settings and/or environments, it is alsoexpressly contemplated that such mittens may be used by non-patientwearers of such mittens. It is also expressly contemplated that suchmittens may be worn by wearers of any age.

FIG. 7A may depict steps in a method of mitigating dissociation of amedical device from a patient. The method shown in FIG. 7A may be method700. In some embodiments, method 700 may comprise the steps of: step701, step 703, step 705, and step 707. In some embodiments, step 701 maybe a step of attaching a medical device to a limb region (e.g.,finger(s), hand, and/or arm) of a patient. Such medical devices may beas noted above. In some embodiments, step 703 may be a step of passing aportion (e.g., medical-tubing 900, wiring, cabling, cords, etc.) of themedical device through a mitten. In some embodiments, the region of themitten that is receiving the portion of the medical device may be theaccess-slit 107, e.g., as shown in FIGS. 1E and 1 n FIG. 1F. In someembodiments, step 705 may be a step of fitting and securing the mittenonto the limb with the medical device; such as, by pulling hand-cover101 over the hand, elongate-sleeve 103 over the forearm and elbow, andhaving arm-grabber 109 squeeze the upper arm. In some embodiments, step707 may be a step of anchoring a region of the medical device to themitten. The anchoring noted in step 707 may be via tubing-anchor 133shown in FIG. 1F; attachment-anchors 201 shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 4B;and/or via tape, rubber band, an elastic strip, string, rope, cordage,and the like.

In some embodiments, the mitten noted in method 700 may bepatient-mitten 100, mitten-with-attachment-anchors 200,mitten-with-pocket 300, UV-permeable-mitten 400,mitten-for-protecting-skin-treatment 500, or mitten-with-finger-opening600.

FIG. 7B may depict steps in a method of mitigating dissociation of amedical device from a patient. The method shown in FIG. 7B may be method710. In some embodiments, method 710 may comprise the steps of: step711, step 701, step 705, and step 707. In some embodiments, step 711 maybe a step of passing a portion of the medical device through a mitten.In some embodiments, the region of the mitten that is receiving theportion of the medical device may be a tubing-hole 135, e.g., as shownin FIG. 1A. In some embodiments, step 701, step 705, and step 707 ofmethod 710, may be as described above under method 700; but these stepsmay have a different order in method 710, as shown in FIG. 7B.

In some embodiments, the mitten noted in method 710 may bepatient-mitten 100, mitten-with-attachment-anchors 200,mitten-with-pocket 300, UV-permeable-mitten 400,mitten-for-protecting-skin-treatment 500, or mitten-with-finger-opening600.

FIG. 7C may depict steps in a method of protecting treated skin of alimb. The method shown in FIG. 7C may be method 720. In someembodiments, method 720 may comprise the steps of: step 721, step 723,step 725, and step 727. In some embodiments, step 721 may be a step ofapplying medicament to skin of a limb; such as skin of the finger,fingers, hand, and/or portions of the arm. In some embodiments, step 723may be a step of pulling “inner-elongate-sleeve 504” over the limb withmedicament. Upon completion of step 723, the mitten may look like themitten shown in FIG. 5A or FIG. 5B, i.e., with inner-elongate-sleeve 504deployed/extended over the forearm and elbow. In some embodiments, step725 may be a step of deploying “outer-elongate-sleeve 503” (e.g.,unrolling outer-elongate-sleeve 503) over “inner-elongate-sleeve 504.”Upon completion of step 725, the mitten may look like the mitten shownin FIG. 5C.

In some embodiments, step 727 may be a step of securing“mitten-for-protecting-skin-treatment 500” to the limb with themedicament. In some embodiments, step 727 may involve securing thecomplimentary fastener-for-arm-grabber 510 of outer-elongate-sleeve 503to the fastener-for-arm-grabber 510 of inner-elongate-sleeve 504. Insome embodiments, step 727 may involve arm-grabber 509 squeezing(gripping) the upper arm of the limb with the medicament.

FIG. 8 may depict a patient-mitten 800 being properly worn over amajority of a limb (e.g., a left arm) of a given patient 950. FIG. 8 mayshow how the arm-grabber 109 of the given patient-mitten 800 may squeezean upper arm 952 of the patient 950, when the patient-mitten is beingproperly worn. Shoulder 951 and armpit region 953 of the patient 950 arealso shown in FIG. 8 as reference points; as well as elbow region 955.Note when patient-mitten 800 may be properly worn, elbow region 955 maybe below arm-grabber 109 that is squeezing upper arm 952.

Note the patient-mitten 800 shown in FIG. 8, may be patient-mitten 100,mitten-with-attachment-anchors 200, mitten-with-pocket 300,UV-permeable-mitten 400, mitten-for-protecting-skin-treatment 500,mitten-with-finger-opening 600, and/or combinations thereof. Forexample, and without limiting the scope of the present invention, insome embodiments, patient-mitten 800 may comprise: hand-covering 101,elongate-sleeve 103, and arm-grabber 109 as discussed above forpatient-mitten 100.

As noted above, various aspects of the discussed mittens andpatient-mittens may have soft and/or flexible portions. For example, andwithout limiting the scope of the present invention, substantialportions of the following structures may be substantially constructedfrom fabrics: hand-covering 101, elongate-sleeve 103, exterior 131,interior surface 137, pocket 301, outer-elongate-sleeve 503,inner-elongate-sleeve 504, cover-flap 607, and the like. And suchfabrics may be soft and/or flexible, as one of ordinary skill in thetextiles arts would understand softness and flexibility. For example,and without limiting the scope of the present invention, such fabricsmay be natural (e.g., cotton and/or silk) and/or synthetic (e.g.,polyester, nylon, acrylic, acetate, Rayon, Viscose, Spandex, and/or thelike).

In some embodiments use of fabric noted herein in and on various mittensand/or patient-mittens may be natural fabrics and/or synthetic fabrics.Such natural fabrics may be one or more of: cotton, silk, linen, hemp,wool, leather, and/or the like. Such synthetic fabrics may be one ormore of: polyester, nylon, acrylic, acetate, Rayon, Viscose, Spandex,and/or the like. And as noted above, such fabrics may also be UVpermeable fabrics, liquid impermeable fabrics and/or air breathablefabrics.

Additionally, note mittens utilizing air breathable embodiments of thevarious elongate-sleeves (terminating in an arm-grabber), may beutilized in activities that might produce sweat, but where it may bedesirable for one to cover portions of their arm, hand, and/or fingersduring such activity; such as, but not limited to, runners, athletes,and/or the like. At either end of such a mitten, may be attachmenthardware (e.g., a clip) for removable attachment of the given mitten toan article, such as, but not limited to a belt. Similarly, such mittensutilizing air breathable embodiments of the various elongate-sleeves(terminating in an arm-grabber), may be utilized in hot or warmenvironmental conditions.

Note with respect to the materials of construction, it is not desirednor intended to thereby unnecessarily limit the present invention byreason of such disclosure.

Various types of mittens, patient-mittens, and methods of use thatutilize such mittens have been disclosed and described. The foregoingdescription of the various exemplary embodiments of the invention hasbeen presented for the purposes of illustration and disclosure. It isnot intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the preciseform disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in lightof the above teaching without departing from the spirit of theinvention.

While the invention has been described in connection with what ispresently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments,it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to thedisclosed embodiments, but on the contrary, is intended to cover variousmodifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit andscope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A mitten for use on a hand and an arm of a human,wherein the mitten comprises: a hand-cover that covers the hand and atleast removably covers fingers of the hand when the hand-cover is beingworn on the hand; wherein the hand-cover protects the human fromself-inflicted nail scratches; an elongate-sleeve that is hollow,wherein a majority of the arm is removably located within theelongate-sleeve, wherein the elongate-sleeve is attached to thehand-cover; an arm-grabber, that removably grips around a circumferenceof an upper portion of the arm, wherein the arm-grabber is attached to aproximal-end of the elongate-sleeve, disposed opposite from thehand-cover.
 2. The mitten according to claim 1, wherein the mittenfurther comprises a wrist-union, wherein the wrist-union is locatedwhere the elongate-sleeve attaches to the hand-cover.
 3. The mittenaccording to claim 1, wherein the elongate-sleeve comprises at least oneaccess-slit; wherein the at least one access-slit is a length-wiseopening in the elongate-sleeve.
 4. The mitten according to claim 3,wherein the length-wise opening runs in a direction that issubstantially parallel with a longitude of the elongate-sleeve.
 5. Themitten according to claim 3, wherein the at least one access-slit isremovably closeable via one or more slit-fasteners that run alongcomplimentary edges of the at least one access-slit.
 6. The mittenaccording to claim 3, wherein the at least one access-slit has aremovably closeable break at one end of the at least one access-slit;wherein this removably closeable break is closed via a brake-fastener;wherein the one end is at the proximal-end of the elongate-sleeve. 7.The mitten according to claim 3, wherein the at least one access-slit issized to permit passage of portions of one or more medical devices. 8.The mitten according to claim 7, wherein the portions of the one or moremedical devices are one or more of: a region of medical-tubing, a regionof cable, a region of wiring, a region of cord.
 9. The mitten accordingto claim 1, wherein the mitten further comprises one or moretubing-holes; wherein the one or more tubing-holes are located on anexterior of the mitten; wherein the one or more tubing-holes are throughholes from an exterior of the mitten to an interior of the mitten;wherein the one or more tubing-holes are sized for passage of one ormore of: a portion of medical tubing, a portion of medical devicecabling, a portion of medical device wiring, or a portion of medicaltubing cord.
 10. The mitten according to claim 1, wherein the mittenfurther comprises one or more attachment-anchors; wherein the one ormore attachment-anchors are located on an exterior of the mitten;wherein the one or more attachment-anchors are for removable attachmentof at least one article to the mitten.
 11. The mitten according to claim10, wherein the one or more attachment-anchors are loop or hookstructures.
 12. The mitten according to claim 10, wherein the one ormore attachment-anchors are one or more tubing-anchors, for securing asection of medical-tubing, wiring, cabling, or cordage to the mitten,such that the section translates with the mitten minimizing dissociationof a medical device from the mitten.
 13. The mitten according to claim1, wherein portions of the elongate-sleeve are at least substantiallyultra violet (UV) light permeable to promote production of vitamin Dwhen the mitten is being worn.
 14. The mitten according to claim 1,wherein interior portions of the elongate-sleeve are at leastsubstantially liquid impermeable to minimize the elongate-sleeve fromabsorbing medicaments applied to skin within the elongate-sleeve. 15.The mitten according to claim 1, wherein interior portions of thehand-cover are at least substantially liquid impermeable to minimize thehand-cover from absorbing medicaments applied to skin within thehand-cover.
 16. The mitten according to claim 1, wherein the mittenfurther comprises one or more pockets; wherein the one or more pocketsare located on an exterior of the mitten; wherein the one or morepockets are for removable storage of at least one article.
 17. Themitten according to claim 1, wherein the elongate-sleeve is doubledlayered, comprising an inner-elongate-sleeve and anouter-elongate-sleeve; wherein with respect to a longitude of both theinner-elongate-sleeve and the outer-elongate-sleeve, theinner-elongate-sleeve and the outer-elongate-sleeve are concentric withrespect to each other; wherein when the mitten is worn over the hand andthe arm, the inner-elongate-sleeve is closer to skin of the arm comparedto the outer-elongate-sleeve.
 18. The mitten according to claim 17,wherein interior portions of the inner-elongate-sleeve are at leastsubstantially liquid impermeable to minimize the inner-elongate-sleevefrom absorbing medicaments applied to the skin within theinner-elongate-sleeve.
 19. The mitten according to claim 1, wherein on aventral side of the hand-cover is a hole that is at least partiallycovered by a cover-flap; wherein the hole and the cover-flap form anopening-for-fingers; wherein the hole and opening-for-fingers allowfinger-tips of the hand to be removably extended out beyond theopening-for-fingers and outside of the hand-cover, while a palm regionof the hand is still retained within the hand-cover.
 20. The mittenaccording to claim 1, wherein a ratio of a length of the hand-cover to alength of the elongate-sleeve is 0.29 to 0.35, including endpoints ofthis range.